Inspiration, ideas and information to help women build public speaking content, confidence and credibility. Denise Graveline is a Washington, DC-based speaker coach who has coached nearly 200 TEDMED and TEDx speakers--including one of 2016's most popular TED talks. She also has prepared speakers for presentations, testimony, and keynotes. She offers 1:1 coaching and group workshops in public speaking, presentation and media interview skills to both men and women.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

'Tis the season for toasting, which means it's time for all sorts of advice on how to raise your glass without also putting your foot in your mouth. One of the better guides we've seen on this topic is in this month's Cooking Light magazine.

The guide also helpfully suggests that you might want to skip the toast altogether, especially if you don't have something different or personal to say. (Author Dan Okrent, quoted in the article: "My failures as a toaster have always been for people I didn't know well enough, and I'll never do that again.") But if you do have to stand up and say a few words, here are some ways to make sure your toast offers something unique.

Have you given a toast that went over well--or brought the occasion to a crashing halt? Share your stories and advice in the comments.

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